What is the best game of the PS2 (128-bit) Era??

[erik]

Just checking to see what game you think is the best to come out of the 'sixth generation' machines starting with the Dreamcast in Sept. 9, 1999 and ending with the Xbox/Gamecube in 2006-2007?

I personally feel that Metroid Prime is the best followed by:

Soul Calibur
Resident Evil 4
God of War
Tony Hawk 3
Ninja Gaiden Black
Halo
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Gran Turismo 4
Metal Gear Solid 3

Okay, so that's actually 10 games, but Metroid prime is tops because it has a completely sublime atmosphere and is a perfect reimaging of Super Metroid in 3-D. It simply cannot be topped!

What are your choices???

[kedawa]

ProTip: don't group consoles by bits.

The XBOX and GC are both 32bit machines.

[erik]

ProTip: don't group consoles by bits.

The XBOX and GC are both 32bit machines.


I don't think so!! The PSone and Saturn are 32-bits and the Nintendo 64 is obviously 64-bits. Everything form the DC up to the Xbox is 128-bit. I understand that it is not customary to call it the '128-bit' era, but that's what it is. Any questions???

[boatofcar]

Katamari Damacy

[outsider]

I'd have to go with Shadow of the Colossus.

[tomaitheous]

I don't think so!! The PSone and Saturn are 32-bits and the Nintendo 64 is obviously 64-bits. Everything form the DC up to the Xbox is 128-bit. I understand that it is not customary to call it the '128-bit' era, but that's what it is. Any questions???

What the..? Are you a fool? So what happened to the 64bit era? Is the N64 all by itself in that era?? Haha..ha..ehem. <_<


On topic:

Damn. That's a hard list to make. There where tons great titles from that generation. Definitely Metroid and some others on you list. Tales of Symphonia is probably my favorite game from that era. And I know I'll get some flack for this, but Super Mario Sunshine was the most fun I had in a Mario game since Super Mario World on SNES and SMB3 on NES. (SMB64 was average at best)

[Misto]

I really like both Pikmin games, they were quite unique and very fun to play. I also really liked Gladius and Odama.

Resident Evil 4 is also up there, I played it so much, I pratically have it memorized and unlocked the Handcannon on the really tough minigame.

[ProgrammingAce]

I don't think so!! The PSone and Saturn are 32-bits and the Nintendo 64 is obviously 64-bits. Everything form the DC up to the Xbox is 128-bit. I understand that it is not customary to call it the '128-bit' era, but that's what it is. Any questions???

The PS1 is 32 bits, the saturn is a freaking nightmare. Anywhere from 8 bits to 32 depending on the chip in question. The main CPU was a pair of 16 bit ICUs, whatever that's worth.

The N64 has a 32 bit CPU with a 64 bit GPU. Everything else has pretty much been 32 bit CPUs with various buses and GPU configuration. The xbox was basically a home computer in a weird box (hell, it even ran the Win2k kernel). As for the CELL, you can really annoy Sony engineers by calling it an 8 bit chip.

Gamewise, i'd have to say my favorite was Rez. Fear is the mind killer.

[izarate]

If we go by bits, be haven't left the 32bit generation yet. Some consoles had CPUs with >64bit registers and >64bit instruction sets but that's as far as it goes.

CPUs are categorized by their integer size and no console has used a 64bit CPU (64bit integers).



Oh, yeah, Metroid Prime and PN03.

[j_factor]

The N64 actually did have a 64-bit processor. It had 32-bit registers, but was otherwise 64-bit. The Saturn has no single main CPU, it has dual main CPUs, which are fully 32-bit processors.

Sega did use the term "128-bit" to describe the Dreamcast, I guess to emphasize that it was a generation above N64. DC does have a 128-bit GPU, but the CPU is 32-bit. PS2 has a 64-bit CPU and a 64-bit GPU. Gamecube has a 32-bit CPU and a 64-bit GPU; Xbox has a 32-bit CPU and a 128-bit GPU. I don't believe anyone other than Sega ever called their console 128-bit. Sony might have early on, I don't remember.

Anyway, a better term would simply be "last-gen". Wikipedia calls it the sixth generation, but I feel that it's actually the seventh.

[SpaceHarrier]

I'm not sure what criteria to use to choose the 'best'. Should I use my favorite games? Should I use the popular opinions, or best graphics? hmm

Sonic Adventure
Final Fantasy X
Grand Theft Auto 3
Shadow of the Collusus
Panzer Dragoon Orta

I just pulled those randomly out of my mindbrain

[Cloud121]

P.N. 03, Panzer Dragoon Orta, and Shenmue.

[DigitalSpace]

GTA: San Andreas is my pick.

[dao2]

Skies of fuckign Arcadia

[Smashed Brother]

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition
SF 3rd Strike
Skies of Arcadia
Ninja Gaiden Black
Soul Calibur
Super Smash Brothers Melee
SSX3

Bah... too many to choose from

[Cobra Commander]

Super Smash Bros. Melee
That game is as good as it gets in my book.

[Lord_Magus]

hmm, lots of great games from that era, but indeed, nothing can really come close to the sheer perfection that was Metroid Prime.

Other honorable mentions:
Killer 7
Eternal Darkness
Shadow of the Colossus
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
Ikaruga
Burnout 2 (yes 2, that's no typo)
Silent Hill 2
Resident Evil 4
Rez
ICO

[The 1 2 P]

Halo and Burnout 3 tie for first place

Honorable Mention:
Max Payne
Star Wars: Kotor 1 and 2
God of War

[Wraith Storm]

Metroid Prime was pretty damn good, but it would have to fight along side these games for the top spot:

Skies of Arcadia - Dreamcast (Gamecube)
Panzer Dragoon Orta - Xbox
Gun - Gamecube (Xbox, PS2)

[FlufflePuff]

GC: Eternal Darkness
Xbox: Star Wars: Kotor
PS2: Guitar Hero 2
DC: Skies of Arcadia

[c0ldb33r]

I guess the clearest way to ask the questions would be as follows:

What was the best game released on any of the following systems:
1. Dreamcast
2. Playstation 2
3. Gamecube
4. Xbox

That way we can avoid the whole "bit" non-sense. Lest we forget that the INTV was 16-bit.

My pick would probably be Final Fantasy XII. I hated it with a passion when I first got it, but once I got used to it, it became digital crack.

A second choice would be Jet Set Radio, just because it's cool.

My third and final pick would Capcom vs. SNK 2. It's my favorite 2D fighter in awhile and the only one I still play on a regular basis.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

if forced to pick a favorite, i'd pick gta: vice city.

so many good games from that generation, and way more that i haven't even had the time or money to try yet.

my honorable mentions:
god of war
guitar hero 2
final fantasy x
kotor
mgs2
advent rising

oddly enough, both kotor and ffx i initially hated, but i slogged through the beginnings and came to love them.

[heybtbm]

Either:

Resident Evil 4

or

GTA: San Andreas

[Oobgarm]

Super Smash Bros. Melee

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

In no particular order

my top ten

Okami
Resident Evil 4
Odin Sphere
Devil May cry
Fatal frame
God of war
Kingdom hearts
Shadow of the Colossus
Bully
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess GC

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Half Life 2.

A few runners up...

Elder Scrolls IV: Morrowind
GTA: San Andreas
Knights of the Old Republic (I think 2 was just as great too.)

Although Half-Life 2 was a short game compared to the others, it had the most seamless balance of action, problem solving, and cinematics out of any game I've ever played. That and the story was engrossing too, and it felt like you were playing an interactive movie.

Elder Scrolls... I've never wasted 100 hours (over the course of a few years) on a game before and not completed the main quest. I don't feel like any of those countless hours of meandering around the huge world were a waste of time either. Most in depth RPG I've ever played. Playing this one really prepared me for the monster that is Fallout 3.

San Andreas... What can I say that hasn't been said? This game is packed to the brim with just about everything. So much stuff to do and see, and a shit-load of replay value. The satire is pretty funny, and it's never been so much fun to be the bad guy.

KOTOR... I loved both games equally. The 1st game was so good I played through it a second time, which is something I NEVER do. Other than the Super Star Wars series on the SNES, these are the best Star Wars games I've ever played. I have my fingers crossed for a current generation continuation of the franchise, thats not a MMORPG.

[Iron Draggon]

What the..? Are you a fool? So what happened to the 64bit era? Is the N64 all by itself in that era?? Haha..ha..ehem. <_<


On topic:

Damn. That's a hard list to make. There where tons great titles from that generation. Definitely Metroid and some others on you list. Tales of Symphonia is probably my favorite game from that era. And I know I'll get some flack for this, but Super Mario Sunshine was the most fun I had in a Mario game since Super Mario World on SNES and SMB3 on NES. (SMB64 was average at best)

I guess you never heard of the Atari Jaguar... it's part of "the 64BIT era", though many would argue whether it's truly 64BIT, just as some are arguing about some of the systems of "the 128BIT era" not truly being 128BIT

myself, I look at it like this, and I could care less what the actual numbers are:

2600 & Intellivision = 2BIT
5200 & Colecovision = 4BIT
7800, SMS, & NES = 8BIT
Genesis, Sega CD, & SNES = 16BIT
32X, Saturn, PS1, & 3DO = 32BIT
N64, Jaguar, & Jaguar CD = 64BIT
Dreamcast, PS2, XBOX, Gamecube, & Wii = 128BIT
XBOX 360 & PS3 = 256BIT

so we still have one more generation to go before we finally reach the GBIT era... the next generation will be the 512BIT era, but if Nintendo goes with an underpowered system again, their next console prolly won't be 512BIT

I think it's pointless to argue over actual BITS... just accept them as a generalization to help people understand the incremental increases in power brought by each new generation... it always doubles, until you get to the Wii, which chose to stay behind in the previous generation for some reason... few people really care what the actual BITS are, they just want a way to distinguish each generation from all the other generations... so get over it

now as for the best games of the 128BIT era, I still can't say for sure yet, because new 128BIT games are still coming out... remember, the PS2 still isn't dead yet, and it will survive as long as the Wii does... so we still have many more years of new 128BIT games left to enjoy before we'll know all the best for sure... great idea for a topic, but even now it's still too soon to tell!

[cityside75]

32X, Saturn, PS1, & 3DO = 32BIT
N64, Jaguar, & Jaguar CD = 64BIT

I think it's pointless to argue over actual BITS... just accept them as a generalization to help people understand the incremental increases in power brought by each new generation...

I understand your logic to an extent, but calling the Jaguar an incremental increase over the PS1 & Saturn is flawed to say the least.

Also, I notice that a couple of people have mentioned PN 03 as one of their top games. I've never even given this game a second look, and this is the first I recall hearing of it being a top tier game. Can someone tell me a little more about why it's on a best-of list?

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

some sites, including hawanja's, have started using the wikipedia generational system. it has its faults and some seriously gray areas, but it's useful as a standard and avoids the bits vs 'make-believe bits' argument.

this puts the ps2/xbox/gc in the sixth generation.

[Buns34]

GC: The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker
PS2: Dragon Quest VIII
X-Box: Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Dreamcast: Sonic Adventure

[Nesmaster]

GC: Resident Evil 4 or Smash Melee
Runner-up - Super Monkey Ball 1/2

PS2: Shadow of the Colossus
Runner-up - Twisted Metal Black or ICO

Xbox: GTA San Andreas
Runner-up - Halo

Dreamcast: Sonic Adventure
Runner-up - Jet Set Radio

My Number one game from the era: GTA San Andreas.

Honorable mentions:
Beyond Good & Evil
Burnout 3
GTA 3, Vice City
Tony Hawk 3
Metroid Prime
Zelda Wind Waker
Black
Mercenaries

[Rogmeister]

It has to be MLB Power Pros...otherwise, why can't I stop playing it? :D

[j_factor]

some sites, including hawanja's, have started using the wikipedia generational system. it has its faults and some seriously gray areas, but it's useful as a standard and avoids the bits vs 'make-believe bits' argument.

this puts the ps2/xbox/gc in the sixth generation.

I strongly disagree with Wikipedia lumping together the Atari VCS generation with the Colecovision generation. Very strongly. In fact, I think I have an unhealthy level of vehemence here. Seriously.

[kedawa]

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time belongs in the top ten for sure.

[kedawa]

I guess you never heard of the Atari Jaguar... it's part of "the 64BIT era", though many would argue whether it's truly 64BIT, just as some are arguing about some of the systems of "the 128BIT era" not truly being 128BIT

myself, I look at it like this, and I could care less what the actual numbers are:

2600 & Intellivision = 2BIT
5200 & Colecovision = 4BIT
7800, SMS, & NES = 8BIT
Genesis, Sega CD, & SNES = 16BIT
32X, Saturn, PS1, & 3DO = 32BIT
N64, Jaguar, & Jaguar CD = 64BIT
Dreamcast, PS2, XBOX, Gamecube, & Wii = 128BIT
XBOX 360 & PS3 = 256BIT

so we still have one more generation to go before we finally reach the GBIT era... the next generation will be the 512BIT era, but if Nintendo goes with an underpowered system again, their next console prolly won't be 512BIT

I think it's pointless to argue over actual BITS... just accept them as a generalization to help people understand the incremental increases in power brought by each new generation... it always doubles, until you get to the Wii, which chose to stay behind in the previous generation for some reason... few people really care what the actual BITS are, they just want a way to distinguish each generation from all the other generations... so get over it

now as for the best games of the 128BIT era, I still can't say for sure yet, because new 128BIT games are still coming out... remember, the PS2 still isn't dead yet, and it will survive as long as the Wii does... so we still have many more years of new 128BIT games left to enjoy before we'll know all the best for sure... great idea for a topic, but even now it's still too soon to tell!

This is all drivel.
Why do you want to cling to a system of categorization that, by your own admission, is baseless and inaccurate, and which is no longer used by any reasonable person?

[tomaitheous]

I think Iron Dragon was just kidding around. (Because there's just sooo much wrong with that post of his ;) )

[kedawa]

I hope so.

[Trebuken]

The game too many people didn't play...

Okami.

[icbrkr]

The game too many people didn't play...

Okami.

I've been meaning to play that :/ I've got it, but it's still in the wrap.

That said, everyone knows what's going to happen when we hit over 1000 bits... a new standard will follow...

http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/products/0004470040023_LG.jpg

Mmmmm... tasty.

[kedawa]

If you haven't played Okami yet, prepare yourself for pressing the same button every few seconds to advance the games story, one line of text at a time, for about a half-hour before the game actually starts.

After that it's fairly enjoyable.

[BHvrd]

If it had to be boiled down to one game and one game alone there is no doubt it would be Grand Theft Auto 3.

It has had a million variations on the core gameplay and is still being refined. It's truly the staple of the 128 bit era.

It's a type of Hybrid genre where they just constantly add more things for you to do and I see the formula sticking aroound and being succesful for a very long time.

I would have probably said the first Halo as it was one of my favorites (btw I hate Halo 2,3), but really when looked back on it wasn't revolutionary, merely done really well. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic also deserves mention I think, a very well done hybrid rpg.